Marlies assign eleven players to the Growlers, Durzi and Hollowell to the OHL

As the season slowly approaches, the rosters throughout the Leafs’ minor league teams start to take shape. 

Forwards Semyon Babintsev, Maxim Mizyurin, and Marcus Power, defencemen James Melindy and Kristians Rubins and goaltender Michael Garteig have been released from their Marlies training camp tryouts as well.

There are only nine remaining players at the Marlies camp, so they are clearly prepping for the incoming roster cuts from the Leafs to fill out their roster. Those nine remaining players are forwards Griffen Molino, J.J. Piccinich and Eric Selleck, defencemen Kyle Cumiskey, Sam Jardine, Andrew Nielsen, and Rasmus Sandin and goaltenders Kasimir Kaskisuo and Justin Peters.

The most interesting name on that list is definitely Rasmus Sandin. The Leafs’ first pick in the 2018 NHL Draft has not yet chosen to either stay with the Marlies and be one of the rare teenage defencemen in the AHL. Or Sandin can go back to Sweden and play for the fantastic Rögle BK program and have the chance to play with his older brother, Linus Sandin.

Speaking of 2018 NHL Draft picks, 19-year-old defencemen Sean Durzi and Mac Hollowell will be heading back to the OHL for their final season in the league.

This is a massive boost for both the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and the Owen Sound Attack, both of them instantly become the best player on both team’s bluelines.

They both had the possibility of signing their Entry-Level Contracts and playing within the Leafs’ system, but the Leafs clearly thought it was best to hold off for another year and have them gain another year of development. Definitely, the easiest decision since the Marlies’ blueline will still be crowded no matter what – no reason to make the problem worse.

Sean Durzi and the Owen Sound Attack play their next game at home against the aging Sarnia Sting, on October 3rd. On the next day, Mac Hollowell and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds visit Semyon Der-Arguchintsev and the Peterborough Petes in their home arena. That game is definitely one we should keep an eye on.

The Calder Cup Champion Toronto Marlies begin their season on the road against the Utica Comets and the Binghamton Devils on October 5th and 6th. The Marlies’ home opener is October 8th at 3:00 p.m. against the Cleveland Monsters.